UFC 174: Johnson vs. Bagautinov Round-by-Round Recap and Analysis

UFC 174: Johnson vs. Bagautinov Round-by-Round Recap and Analysis

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On Saturday night at UFC 174, Demetrious Johnson faced off against Ali Bagautinov in a flyweight title fight. Johnson was looking for his fourth straight defense, while Bagautinov was looking for his fourth straight win in the UFC.

The fight went the full 25 minutes and in an impressive performance, Johnson won every single round, and pulled out the unanimous decision victory.

Johnson was faster, better in the clinch and better on the feet. Read on to see exactly how he did it.

Round 1

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The two touch gloves in the center of the Octagon and we're off.

Bagautinov has his hands low and isn't moving very much. Johnson is controlling center of the cage, not much happening though.

Bagautinov throws a flurry that Johnson avoids. They clinch and now Bagautinov has Johnson pressed up against the cage. Bagautinov holds a single, but isn't able to finish.

Johnson turns Bagautinov around and now has him pressed against the cage. He lands a few solid knees to the body.

Bagautinov lifts Johnson and throws him to the ground but Johnson gets right back up. The round ends with Bagautinov in standing back control.

Bleacher Report scores the round 10-9 Bagautinov

Round 2

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Round two starts with Johnson showing more movement than in round one. He's throwing leg kicks and backing Bagautinov up.

Bagautinov gets Johnson pressed up against the cage again, but Johnson escapes. He avoids another combo from Bagautinov.

Bagautinov is still moving very little, although it may be due to his cardio at this point. They each land punches.

High kick from Bagautinov, but Johnson just keeps coming forward. Johnson goes for a high kick and Bagautinov turns and presses him up against the cage again.

Johnson has his back to the cage, but is still landing effective clinch strikes. Bagautinov goes for a single again, while Johnson continues to strike.

The round ends with Johnson's back against the cage.

Bleacher Report scores the round 10-9 Johnson

Round 3

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Johnson starts off the third looking just as fresh as he did in the first. Bagautinov showing some more movement than in the first ten minutes.

Johnson lands a high kick and they clinch. Bagautinov is pressing Johnson up against the cage again. They break and Johnson is controlling the center of the Octagon.

Ali goes for a takedown, ducks under and takes Johnson's back. He lifts him up and throws him down, but Johnson gets back up and drives Bagautinov into the cage.

They break and Johnson is back to the center of the cage. Bagutinov shoots in for a single, but Johnson stuffs him and hits him with a few knees. He tries for another takedown but it doesn't stick.

Bleacher Report scores the round 10-9 Johnson

Round 4

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The fourth round starts and again Johnson takes the center and throws some leg kicks. Johnson shoots but Bagautinov stuffs it. Johnson clinches, lands a knee or two and then breaks.

Bagautinov has his hands at his hips, trying to goad Johnson into swinging. Johnson gets a knee after a takedown attempt again.

Johnson goes for a high kick, slips, and Bagautinov lands a solid right, although Johnson looks okay. Bagautinov has Johnson up against the cage with just over a minute to go.

Johnson escapes and scores a takedown with under 10 seconds to go, and almost ends up on the back of Bagautinov.

Bleacher Report scores the round 10-9 Johnson

Round 5

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Five minutes left in the fight.

Johnson still very active, and again he throws a leg kick early in the round. Bagautinov throws a big overhand right but it misses.

Johnson feints for an ankle, and Bagautinov closes the distance and clinches. Johnson ends up getting the Muay Thai clinch and landing some solid shots. Bagautinov is holding a single up against the cage.

Johnson turns it around and drops for a takedown of his own. Johnson throws a combo and Bagautinov turns Johnson around and goes for a takedown.

Johnson let out an audible groan, and may have hurt his leg, but he's still going. He landed a solid knee, then threw a wheel kick, but it didn't land.

Bagautinov again gets Johnson pressed up against the cage, but he isn't able to get off any offense and the fight will end.